PAE .... Sleipnir???

Re: PAE

I've drilled holes in the (repaired :roll: ) floor edge previously & plug-welded from the top - much easier than from below! 8)
 
Re: PAE

I've drilled holes in the (repaired :roll: ) floor edge previously & plug-welded from the top - much easier than from below! 8)
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Cool :) So this works in practice as well as in theory then!

Rich.
 
Re: PAE

Today's progress!

15012011137%20(Medium).jpg


15012011138%20(Medium).jpg


Seem to keep blowing little holes near the weld seam. My welder is a very basic one (25 amp but no wire speed control). Is this likely to be the source of my problem?

Rich
 
Re: PAE

Looking good, it'll be done before you know it!
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It's good to see the metal going back in :)

Only thing that worrys me is that my welding is lumpy and is burning holes through where i dont think it should. Only thing i can think of is that the lack of wire feed control means i'm using too much power even on the 25 amp setting. ACcording to mig-welding.co.uk the lower the wire feed speed the lower the power is ( apparently the ampage control on the welder only controls the voltage where the current is proportional to the speed)

Rich
 
Re: PAE

Nothing much happens on my Pro90 mig unless I run it on full power so I don't know how you get a weld at 25amps
 
Re: PAE

Nothing much happens on my Pro90 mig unless I run it on full power so I don't know how you get a weld at 25amps
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Mine has a switch - you have a choice of 25amp or 130amp and no wire speed control ( manual says it's automatic... hmmm)

Just looking here - if i input the power options 25 and 130 i get:
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/calculator.htm

Power setting Steel thickness(millimetres)
1 0.8 to 1.0

2 2.8 to 3.5

I guess that's my answer - because i cant deviate the power settings via the wire speed I cant get outside these two narrow bands?

Rich.
 
Re: PAE

Hi Rich

Good to see you making progress.

I'm doing some repair work on the rear sill/wheel arch interface and I know what you mean about the power settings. My welder has 2 rocker switches marked min/max and 1/2 but I do have a wire speed adjust. I'm using 1mm metal and 0.8 wire on the lowest setting and I still blow holes in the metal sometimes. Apparently a CO2/Argon mix is best for thin metal. My biggest problem is seeing what's going on so I'm waiting for a new auto visor coming in the post. My welding on the car seems to be lots of joined up blobs of weld at the moment but I'm going to persevere and I'm sure it'll eventually. Keep the pics coming, I'll post some up of my work as it progresses further.

The mig welding forum seems very good, in fact I've posted some pictures of my practice welds there.

Dave
 
Re: PAE

Apparently a CO2/Argon mix is best for thin metal
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I've gone for gasless for 2 reasons...
i) no garage so the wind would be a problem
ii) Gas costs quite a lot - £80 a year for the BOC bottle...

Maybe if i'm going to rethink the welder i need to rethink this as well. would like to see some pics of yours too! :)

Rich.
 
Re: PAE

rockdemon said:
i) no garage so the wind would be a problem
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Yes that would be a problem

rockdemon said:
ii) Gas costs quite a lot - £80 a year for the BOC bottle...
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There are places you can get rentless gas. I'm using these little bottles from Machinemart but they don't last very long.

CIMG4055.jpg


I've seen a few ads in Classic Car mags for gas that doesn't require the hire of a bottle.

Dave
 
Re: PAE

rockdemon said:
Doesnt one of those bottles only give 6 minutes?
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I'm not sure. I haven't timed it with continuous use but I managed a good 3 hours worth of work with one before it was empty.

Dave
 
Re: PAE

I'm not sure. I haven't timed it with continuous use but I managed a good 3 hours worth of work with one before it was empty.

Dave
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Justr had an enlightening chat with Hermione149 - apparently it depends how you use it. He's given me some good tips to try so when i work out what the problem was i'll be sure to post up here :)

I think the current welder is for prcatice and i'll be keeping a close eye out for a cheap replacement!

Rich
 
Re: PAE

I blew a load of holes at my first attempt but found it to be becasue I was trying to 'butt' weld and I am simply not good enough to do this.

I bought a joggler so that I could overlap the plates and still keep them flat, and then when welding, I found it better if I swayed the weld from side to side, only a couple of mm, as I went along. And make sure there is no rust on the bit you are wleding as this can cause problems too.

Richard
 
Re: PAE

Well I'm going to go back and start from the beginning. See if I can get some decent welds just onto new sheet steel and move onto joins with that before going back to the car. Also will keep an eye out for a cheap gas welder on ebay as that will be easier to work with (being able to see the weld pool) - and adjust the gas regulator correctly.

I'm going to do this - absolutely determined that i'm going to do a good job...

Rich.
 
Re: PAE

quattro said:
I blew a load of holes at my first attempt but found it to be becasue I was trying to 'butt' weld and I am simply not good enough to do this.

I bought a joggler so that I could overlap the plates and still keep them flat, and then when welding, I found it better if I swayed the weld from side to side, only a couple of mm, as I went along. And make sure there is no rust on the bit you are wleding as this can cause problems too.

Richard
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I'm actually find it easier to butt weld than overlap. It needs a bit more work on the repair panel to get the shape spot on but the weld seems to flow better.

rockdemon said:
Well I'm going to go back and start from the beginning.
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I did that after the first repair panel was rubbish. I ground all the welds down, pulled it off and started again. I'm using smaller panels and building up the shape. Easier to find someplace to clamp it to that way too.

rockdemon said:
Also will keep an eye out for a cheap gas welder on ebay as that will be easier to work with (being able to see the weld pool)
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You may find oxy/acetylene just as tricky to use on thin metal as mig. Keep at it, you're not alone. I feel your frustration but I'm sure we'll get there.

Dave
 
Re: PAE

There's another rent free option here :)

http://www.albeegascylinders.com/

When ever I pay my rental I moan and look at the options. For home or hobby use I can't see why you'd pay BOC rental
For a garage doing regular welding I think it's still the better option, unfortunately :)
 
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